The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-08

the light OF that regard for patriotic duty
which should characterise tho action Of those
intrusted with the veal Of con6diug peo-
pie. But the obligation to declared party
policy and principle Is not wanting TO urge
prompt and effective action. Both Of the
great political parties now represented in the
government have, by repeated and authori-
tatiye declarations, condemned the condition
OF our laws which permit the collection from
the people Of unnecessary revenue. and have,
in the most solemn manner, promised Its cor
rection, and neither as citizens nor partisans
are our countrymen in a mood to condons
the deliberate violation Of these pledges.
NO QUESTION or THEORIES.
Our progress toward a wise conclusion will
not DO improved by dwelling upon the
theories Of protection and free trade. This
savors too much Of bandying epithets 1t is
aconditon which confronts us-not theory
Relief from this condition may involve a
slight reduction Of the advantages which we
award our home productions, but the entire
withdrawal Of such advantages should not
be contemplated The question Of free trade
is absolutely irrelevant; and the persistent
claim m de in certain quarters, that all
efforts to relieve the people from unjust and
unnecessary taxation are schemes of SO called
free traders, is mischievous and far removed
from any consideration for the public good
The simple and plain duty which we owe
the people Is to reduce taxation to th' neces-
sary expenses Of an economical operation OF
III. government and 70 restore to the bust
ness Of the country the money which we
nod in the treasury through the perysrsion
of governmental powers. These things can
and should be- done with safety TO all our
industries, withoat danger to the opporiu-
nifty for remunerative labor which our
workingmen need, and with be eft TO them
and all our p tople, 10y cheapening theIr m ans
Of subsistence and increasing tue measure OF
their comforts
ALL OTHER QUESTIONS LAID ASIDE.
The constitution provides that the presi-
dent shall, from time 10 time. give 10 the
congress information OF the state OF the
Union. IL has been the custom Of the tx
ecutive, in compliance with this provision,
% annually exhibit TO the congress, at the
opening OF its session, the general condition
IF the country, and to detail, with syms par.
ticuiarty, the operations Of the different tx
scutige departments II would be especially
agreeable to follow this course at he present
time. and 10 call attention 20 the yaluab 9
accomplishments of these departments dur
ng the last fiscal year. Bat 1 am so much
impressed with the paramount Importance
Of the subject to which this communication
has thus far been devoted, that lslall torego
lhe addition Of any other topic. AMI only
Irge upon your immediate consideration the
state Of the Union as shown i'm the present
condition Of our treasury and our general
fiscal situation, upon which every element
IF our safety aud prosperity p nds
The reports OF the heads OF depnrim"
which will be submitted, contain full and
'xpiicit informal On touching the transaction
Of the business intru,ted t. them, and such
recommendation relating to legislation IN
the public interest as they deem advisable
ask Tor these reports and recommendations
the deliberate examination and action II the
legislative branch Of the government
There are other subjects at embraced 10
he departmental reports demanding iegisia
tive consideration and which | Should b.
glad T. submit Soms Of them, how ser
have been earnestly pr ssnted Ia preylow
mess ages, and as 20 them l beg ave to re
peat prior recommended Ons
As the law makes no provision for any re
port from the department OF state a briel
history If the trans ictons Of that important
department, together with other matter
which il may hereafter be de mel e-sentla.
to commend 10 the attention # congress
may furnish thu oo3asion for "a future com
muuicatiOn. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Washington, Dec q, lss,